Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce, & Bistro - South Barrington, IL

Tuesdays are special days for my kids. They get to play bowling, bocce, and eat delicious burgers while I get to concentrate with work in a big comfy couch while served with a refreshing mojito and yummy food.

For a bunch of city slickers, Pinstripes Bistro in South Barrington is one place outside Chicago that I purposely take my kids to. What gives? Well, first the $2 burger Tuesdays. But altogether, it is really a place where I can mix the work and play scenario with my family. That’s besides the free parking, the free wifi, the delicious menu, the friendly staff, bowling, bocce, and the free cheesecake with any foursquare check-ins!

Photos by: Lahleyoo

Bocce

Free Cheesecake on Foursquare Check-ins!

Chicagonista along with Nancy Loo hosted the special screening of Ramona & Beezus this past weekend in behalf of Tide Acti-Lift. The night before the event, Chicago had an incredible amount of rain throughout the night and news of flooded basements were heard on radios and tv news but yet over 200  viewers came to the event including Chicago’s very own Miss Lori and her 3 children. After the movie, kids took pictures sitting on a giant  peanut butter sandwich and the kids had fun painting the community mural. Both of which are inspired by the movie.

We are also grateful that Tide with Acti-Lift allowed us to choose a charity of our choice  (Maryville Academy) that they can donate $2500 to. “Maryville Academy is one of Illinois’ oldest childcare agencies, bringing hope and healing to children and families during their times of greatest need.”

Moms and Dads if you go see the movie, don’t forget to bring tissues!

Miss Lori, Nancy Loo, & MJ Tam

Photo Credits: Miss Lori

About Tide with Acti-Lift:
Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to remove stubborn, dry stains? If only dry stains could be lifted with ease, your favorite outfits would be free from tough stains and your laundry routine a bit simpler. Tide® with Acti-Lift™ technology, is designed to soften and break up dry stains, lifting them off with ease. Tide with Acti-Lift allows you and your family to wear what you love, without the worry of tough stains

We are looking for web-savvy interns who will facilitate ongoing web projects and upcoming events. These are unpaid positions but will gain you a lot of experience, exposure, and contacts if you are looking to stay in the online media field.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain Event Calendar in Chicagonista.com
• Promote events and articles (Chicagonista, Young Chicagonista, and Chicagonista LIVE!) on Twitter and Facebook daily.
• Attend important events with MJ Tam (Chicagonista Editor)
• Develop and maintain contacts with local businesses.
• Once-a-week (in person or phone) meetings with MJ Tam.

Qualifications:

• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent writing, editing and organizational skills.
• Ability to show initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
• MS Office and Google Docs knowledge
• Knowledge of some HTML and CSS is a big plus!
• Familiarity with WORDPRESS is a plus.
• Experience navigating social networking platforms and websites; interest in learning new technologies.
• Blogging experience preferred but not required.
• Graphics experience, including ability to work with Photoshop, helpful.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.

To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter to mjtam [ at] chicagonista.com

Can’t get to Hawaii this summer? So, why not experience the spirit of Aloha here in the Windy City. Check out these great finds!

• Learn some ancient or modern Hula from  Halau i Ka Pono, a Hula school based in Oak Park. They even go beyond as to teach the spiritual practice of Hula in Meditation, La’au Lapa’au (“study of healing through spirituality and native Hawaiian medicinal plants”) and Reiki.

• Ohana Entertainment offer authentic Polynesian entertainment for your parties. They also teach Hula and Tahitian dance classes.

• Bring the tropical sounds to your private luau events. Check out Windy City Islanders and enjoy samples of their music.

• Merve Papa of Aloha Brush Art is an artist that makes tropical island style like calligraphy of your name.

• Hungry? Check out Aloha Eats for some Spam Musubi, Tofu Katsu and more…

• And since Hawaii is a melting pot of all the Asian cultures, why not visit Chinatown for dimsum, maybe some Pho’ in Vietnam Town, Kalbi in Korea Town, Filipino Restaurants‘ different variety of pancits  and of course,  sushi from Japanese Restaurants

• The Raging Waves “Hot Summer Nights” series continues with a Luau Night on Thursday, July 22. Guests can secure a $4 discount on a full-day admission by saying “aloha” at the ticket window. The day’s activities include mini luau food specials, and live music from 4:30 – 7 p.m. by A Bunch of Coconuts. More information about the Luau Night can be found at http://www.ragingwaves.com/events.html.

Mahalo!

Photo Credit: MJ Tam

Chicagonista is excited to work with Tide with Acti-Lift in hosting a special screening of the new motion picture “Ramona and Beezus” and we’re inviting our readers and your families to receive special VIP passes. On July 24th, Sat. come join and meet up with Nancy Loo and me for the festivities at the Cinemark Century Theatre in 1715 Maple Ave. in Evanston.

• Walk-in registrations at 10:00 – 10:30am

• Those who have VIP Passes can register at 10:30am

• Movie starts at 11:00am

• And there’s more fun after the movie: Have the children add their creative touch to a community mural inspired by the movie, take home a free t-shirt to wear while painting, take pictures with props from the movie, and watch demos and  receive samples (while supplies last) of Tide with Acti-Lift . Event will end at 6pm.

****** YOU MUST REGISTER FOR VIP PASSES HERE

If you can’t make it to the screening, bring your family to the theatre lobby over on the weekends of July 24th and 31st weekends where everyone can help paint a community mural, inspired by the one in the film. Take fun photos and receive a free t-shirt and Tide with Acti-Lift samples while supplies last!

About Tide with Acti-Lift:
Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to remove stubborn, dry stains? If only dry stains could be lifted with ease, your favorite outfits would be free from tough stains and your laundry routine a bit simpler. Tide® with Acti-Lift™ technology, is designed to soften and break up dry stains, lifting them off with ease. Tide with Acti-Lift allows you and your family to wear what you love, without the worry of tough stains

It was a beautiful day this past Friday and the Chicago Park District camp kids were in attendance at the Daley Bicentennial Plaza to watch Chicago Bull’s very own Derrick Rose and Tennis Powergirl Venus Williams on a first time 1on1 tennis & hoops hosted by Powerade Play. The event was to promote and teach the importance of active lifestyle for youth. The winner are of course the hundreds of kids that witnessed this said event!

Miss Williams was also signing her new “Come To Win” book at State Street Borders earlier that day.

“An estimated 1.8 million children are forced into prostitution and pornography, and 1.2 million are victims of
 trafficking”

“An estimate of 150 million girls and 73 million boys under the
age of 18 experience forced sexual intercourse or other forms of
 sexual violence every year.”

“Over 100 million people annually fall into poverty because
they have to pay for health care.”

Those compelling statistics are cries of help for millions of people and enough for Sarah Evans to stand up and create Social Media 4 Good. She called on organizers in many cities worldwide to join in and participate on what turned out to be a fun and rewarding event.

This past Friday Chicagonista’s very own Social Sami ( @samiari) and I ( @mjtam ) collaborated and organized  the Chicago leg of a worldwide flashmob – Social Media 4 Good. The flashmob is to create awareness of all the local social services and at June 4th at 5:30 pm where there are heavy foot traffic at Pioneer plaza, we did exactly just that.  Sami kicked it off with his enthusiastic whistle and came in the children and their families that joined him twirl his umbrella to the beat of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”.

CNN took notice and created a somob4good CNN ireport page for all to join and report in their pics, videos, thoughts of the event. You can check that here.

After the flashmob, @ChevyMissions sponsored a wonderful event at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Here’s a video made by @amcdocumentary

There is an assumption that the only way to give is by handing away our hard earned money, but not so. Here are some ways you can help.

• Call your local social service that matters most to you and volunteer your time.
• If you’re a blogger /vlogger, dedicate a post about your local social services. Maybe feature one every week.
• Want to quit smoking? Cut down on caffeine? Imagine the money you can provide your local social service by saving money in a jar to take to your local social service. You’ll kick the habit and do good for your world at the same time.
• Join the Chevy Missions program. If you come up with a mission for your local community, Chevy missions can help move things forward.

Special thanks to Dwana DeLaCerna, Crister DeLaCruz, and Jill Felska for supporting us!

Photo Credit: by Crister DeLaCruz

On May 17, 2010 the More magazine Reinvention Convention for women interested in refreshing their careers, finances, style and health will take place in Chicago. More than 500 women will gather with More Editor-in-Chief Lesley Jane Seymour at the Navy Pier for a day of interactive events and panels. Tickets are now on sale at www.more.com/reinvention.

The Chicago Convention will be emceed by Good Morning America Contributor and Author Lee Woodruff. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Five-time Olympic Medalist Dara Torres, Emmy Award-winning Actress Dana Delany, and Goodwill Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Other participants include Financial Guru Jean Chatzky, Fitness and Nutrition Expert Dr. Pamela Peeke, Today Show Contributor and Sex and Relationship Expert Dr. Gail Saltz and Career Reinvention Coach Pamela Mitchell.

The More Reinvention Convention is presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by Talbots, Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, Eucerin, Radiesse and Sex & A Healthier You, with media partner The Wall Street Journal and community partner the Junior League of Chicago. The convention will also visit New York on October 4, 2010.

The international hit STOMP returns to Chicago with all new surprises! April 27 – May 2 at the Bank of America Theatre.

SAVE $15!*
Click here and use the code TEMPO when ordering to save $15 on Tue-Thu and Sun eve performances. Put TEMPO in the Promotions and Special Offers Sections!
Tickets also available by calling 800-775-2000 or at any Broadway In Chicago box office or Ticketmaster retail location.
*Discount available on select sections to Tue-Thu and Sun eve performances only. Not available with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. Normal ticketing fees and other restrictions apply. Subject to availability.